Newsletter

The Spot Cafe serves up traditional American staples for breakfast and lunch

The Spot Cafe, located just south of the St. John’s County Courthouse, attracts patrons of all stripes. Attorneys, judges, deputies, contractors and families all show up to dine at the popular establishment.

The Spot Cafe started out on State Road 16 in 2008 and moved to its current location three years ago. The diner boasts 100 seats with indoor and outdoor seating.

The eatery has a definite mom-and-pop feel and a menu that features classic American fare. Some of the breakfast and lunch dishes are even named after members of the owner Dave Pelletier’s family.

Pelletier has created an old-fashioned, comfortable spot that features familiar favorites like Momma’s french toast and Uncle Paul’s hearty country breakfast complete with biscuits and gravy. For lunch, you might have the tuna melt or Millie’s lumberjack loaded with meat on a hoagie roll.

Three generations of women from the same family may all be working on the same day. It doesn’t get more family than that.

Q&A WITH OWNER DAVE PELLETIER

How would you describe the restaurant’s atmosphere?

Unpretentious, clean and comfortable. It’s got a good, easy vibe. I have nostalgic black-and-white photos on the wall — some from the old Millie’s restaurant on State Road 16, the same place the Spot started out. We are about serving American fare in a down-to-earth, community orientated cafe.

What is your food philosophy?

Keep it simple [with] unpretentious comfort food. The most decadent thing we have on the menu is the Nutella and cream cheese stuffed French toast served with strawberries and whip cream. Some of the menu items represent southern dishes like the Mississippi catfish, blackened or fried served with grits, eggs and toast.

What types of cuisine do you specialize in?

Basic American fare. The food stuffs that formed over time and reflect our history — like meatloaf, New Orleans Muffaletta or Black Angus burger. The hotdogs are straight out of the New York culture. We buy traditional Sabrett frankfurters and toast the New England rolls.

What is your signature dish?

The blue plate specials. Plates like Wednesday’s Shepherd’s pie, Sunday’s meatloaf and Monday’s hot turkey sandwich with liver and onions. Our Mr. French Dip is house roasted beef thinly sliced served with au jus on a toasted ciabatta. Momma’s French toast [is a serving of] thick hand-sliced bread dipped in our special batter for breakfast.

What would you recommend for a first timer?

Uncle Paul’s country breakfast has a little bit of everything — eggs, bacon and sausage with home fries or grits, toast and a spot of biscuit and gravy. Momma’s French toast is a favorite. On the lighter side for lunch, you have a choice of eight salads to pick, or try our daily blue plate special like Friday’s fish and chips.